FEAR

 The famous advice columnist Ann Landers was once asked, "what’s the most common problem people ask you about?"

She said, "Without a doubt, it’s fear."

Many fear lots of things! Is being stuck one of the biggest fears? STUCK! "Things will never change; it’s hopeless." "I’m never going to get out of this." "I’ll never not grieve again." "I’ll never be happy again." "Everything is falling apart, and I’m beyond recovery." That’s fear.

And it is FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real.

It’s a lie from the father of lies. If you think that your life is beyond repair/restoration, then you’re wrong. If you think that your best days are in the past, then think again. If you think it’s impossible for God to bring good out of bad, then you aren’t paying attention.

It’s often said there are 365 "fear nots" in the Bible, one for every day of the year. That’s probably right. God, if you are his, does not want you to be afraid.

Psalm 34:4 — I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 27:1-3 — The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.